The 40 Acres Art Gallery is a part of the nonprofit community development corporation, St. HOPE Academy, founded in 1989 by NBA all-star and Oak Park native Kevin Johnson to bring revitalization to this inner-city Sacramento community through public education, civic leadership, economic development and arts enrichment. 

40 Acres Art Gallery

Mission The 40 Acres Art Gallery is dedicated to celebrating the rich multi-cultural heritage existing in Sacramento's community of Oak Park, and seeks to educate, promote, exhibit and collect art that is a reflection of this diversity.

History Visual art is featured throughout all aspects of the 40 Acres project, including a 2,800 square foot museum-level exhibition space. From historical archival photographs to contemporary works by nationally known African-American artists, the 40 Acres Art Gallery seeks to present works that represent and celebrate the rich diversity of Oak Park.

Exhibitions Since opening, the 40 Acres Art Gallery has received critical acclaim for its arts programming, including exhibitions of such regionally and nationally known artists as Milton Bowens, Beverly McIver and Mark Priest and Charles Stewart. Artists being considered for upcoming exhibitions include Carrie Mae Weems, Willie Birch, Cathleen Lewis, Richard Mayhew, Alison Saar and Michael Ray Charles.

Education 40 Acres is committed to presenting exhibitions that educate, train and empower youth in all facets of art and hands-on gallery operations and exhibition installation, as well as provide additional sources of dialogue and learning for the Oak Park community. Included in 40 Acres is a youth art gallery, where students create and exhibit work in response to learning about the current exhibition.

Special Events The 40 Acres Art Gallery broadens its viewer base through special partnerships with such organizations as the Sacramento Philharmonic, the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission and the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts. These partnerships allow 40 Acres to present special exhibitions and events that encourage outreach throughout Sacramento. Additionally, the 40 Acres Art Gallery is a featured destination stop for Sacramento's monthly Second Saturday art walk.

Collections The 40 Acres Art Gallery has a small but growing permanent and public art collection, with an emphasis on contemporary African-American art. Included in the collection are such artists as Beverly McIver, Milton Bowens, Larry Meeks, Gerry “GOS” Simpson and Ernie Barnes. Works from the permanent collection are on display throughout the 40 Acres project.

Contact Information Kim Curry, Director of Visual Arts (916) 649-7900 kcurry@sthope.org

Mission The historic Guild Theater is an urban center for performing arts and cinema. Our mission is to educate the greater Sacramento community through diverse programming, and we are committed to providing a quality, cultural experience in the arts.

History The Guild Theater is a nonprofit theater managed by St. HOPE Academy, a nonprofit community development corporation whose mission is to revitalize inner-city communities through public education, civic leadership, economic development and the arts. Established in 1989 by NBA All-Star and Oak Park native Kevin Johnson, St. HOPE educates, trains and empowers citizens to change the landscape of low-income areas, beginning with the Oak Park neighborhood in Sacramento, California.

The Guild Theater is the only remaining theater of the numerous early 20th century motion picture houses for which Oak Park was once known. Designed and financed by Joseph Lewis and completed in 1915, it was the largest of three theaters on 35th Street in Oak Park at that time. Originally called the Victor Theater, the building's structure reflected the influence of the Moorish Revival on theaters of that era.

For many decades, the Guild Theater was a premiere entertainment destination and in its earliest days played host to vaudeville shows. The theater eventually fell into a state of disrepair and remained vacant for many years. St. HOPE has updated and restored the Guild Theater and currently showcases film, lectures and live performances. Over the past year, the Guild has played host to a wide variety of events. From a Town Hall meeting with former Governor Gray Davis to a concert featuring hip hop icon KRS-ONE, the Guild Theater is committed to making every event an educational experience.

The Guild Theater is located in the 40 Acres Art Gallery and Cultural Center. Opened in May 2003, 40 Acres is St. HOPE's catalytic economic development project. 40 Acres is comprised of the Guild Theater, Uncle Jed's Cut Hut (barber shop), underground books (bookstore), the Upper Rooms Apartments, Starbucks Coffee and the 40 Acres Art Gallery. The complex is located in the heart of Sacramento's inner-city.

Amenities 200 seating capacity Film projection equipment Stage (20' x 40') Load in capacity (6' x 11') Dressing rooms Lobby and concession area Lighting and state of the art acoustics On-site parking adjacent to theater Contact Information Al Williamson (916) 649-7900 awilliamson@sthope.org